If I don't write things down, I tend to stare listlessly out the window, trying to remember what I should be doing.
Or I take a nap.
At the start of my spring break a week ago, I created a Spring Break Wish List. I put down anything and everything I wanted to do. I called it a wish list because if I called it a "To Do" list, I would feel a sense of dread and failure if I didn't get everything done. This way, it reduced the pressure.
You can see from all of the filled in boxes that I got a lot of my wishes granted -- everything from cleaning the bathroom to buying myself flowers. This system really worked for me!
This week, I also celebrate...
* The safe travels of my family who went to Orlando for a band competition. (That's my son, Ryan, in the background helping to load suitcases.)
* Meeting this amazing lady, Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts, for coffee. We talked and talked and before we knew it, almost two hours had passed. Jen and I have a lot in common (aside from our names) and I look forward to the next time we get together -- where we plan to spend time writing and not talking so much. (Yeah, right! :)
* On Thursday, I took my mom out to lunch for her birthday. I'm so lucky to have her so near and still a part of my life.
* The first peek of spring. This burst of color surprised me when I went out to get the mail yesterday afternoon. It wasn't there the day before. I hope this is a sign....
Finally, in honor of April being Poetry Month, I am going to try to write a haiku on this blog every day. Try....
Celebrate
The moments of life
Sometimes whisper, sometimes yell--
Calling out "Notice!"
The moments of life... you captured them beautifully here. I should have made a list. Here I am at the end of spring break and I feel like I didn't do anything. I was afraid a list would be too task oriented and I wanted to relax. I guess I accomplished that but little else.
ReplyDeleteI met Jen Vincent at NCTE. What fun that you can spend time together.
What a grand week of "wishes fulfilled" Jennifer. I met Jen at NCTE a couple of years ago, and she is full of a lot of fun and enthusiasm. How great that you got together. I love your poem goal, will look for you. I wrote a haiku all last April, and learned so much from that daily practice. Love "sometimes whisper". Have a wonderful weekend of your break!
ReplyDelete"Or I take a nap." (I may have done a fist pump in solidarity at this phrase!) I can feel the joy that you shared in this post. I too, love a good list to help me stay focused. I'm learning how to celebrate what gets done, and not focus on what is left to do. The flowers are simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading all of your noticings Jennifer! I wish you luck in your writing endeavors this month! I also really like your wishlist! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteWish list instead of To Do, good switch! Sounds like it was a great week of spring break for you. Hope your tulips survive the snow.
ReplyDeleteI've met Jen too and agree - she's amazing and wonderful. What a great week. I love your idea of a wish list instead of a to do list. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful week! So many blessings to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteOhmigosh! Look at all the love in this post and in the comments! I'm so glad I got to be part of your celebration. I love getting to meet wonderful people vial social media...but getting to visit in real life is always a treat. So glad we made it work out! Can't wait for all the writing we'll do next time! ;)
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